AFCW 0 Long Eaton United 5

A bad day at the office saw AFC Wulfrunians suffer just their second league defeat of 2015, as they were emphatically beaten by a strong Long Eaton United side. Wulfs weren’t as bad as the scoreline suggests, but the visitors played with a blend of pace and power that they just couldn’t match.

It took 17 minutes for them to open the scoring, TJ Nightingale cut the ball back from the byline to Jermaine Palmer, who left Jono Brown with no chance as he fired into the top corner.

Within a minute, United had doubled their lead. A mistake in the box gave Daryll Thomas the ball one-on-one with Brown, and he showed great composure as he calmly slotted the ball under the ‘keeper.

A minute after the break, the game was put beyond doubt. Aaron Cole left Brown unmoved as he smashed an effort off the bar from 25 yards; the rebound fell to Ben Watkiss, and he cut in before beating Brown at his near post.

Halfway through the second half, Wulfrunians had a pair of chances to add goals back. Jake Sedgemore’s floated free kick was headed straight at Scott Low by Ryan Talbot and then Andy Thompson’s shot was excellently forced behind by Low, after it had taken a small deflection.

Two substitutes linked up as Long Eaton added another after 75 minutes. Kieran Wells played a ball behind the Wulfs defence and a hesitation from Brown allowed Tom Cooper-Richards to head the ball over him from the edge of the area.

The pair switched roles as they completed the rout five minutes from time. Cooper-Richards beat one man before crossing for Wells at the front post, and he managed to force his effort home.

Wulfrunians will have to put this result behind them very quickly and will look to bounce back on Tuesday, as they take the long trip up to Leicestershire to face Kirby Muxloe.